Why are the leaves curling?

Curling leaves often indicate the plant is thirsty and needs a drink.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers bright light but appreciates some afternoon shade in very hot climates.

Plant guide

Tree Aeonium.

Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop'

Pronounced ee-OH-nee-um ar-BOR-ee-um

Also known as Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop', Tree Aeonium, Tree aenium

Tree Aeonium — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This striking succulent grows in a beautiful rosette pattern atop woody stems. It is a fantastic choice for adding architectural interest to your sunny indoor spaces. You will love how easy it is to keep happy with just a bit of light and care.

Another photo of Tree Aeonium — Photo by William Stephens (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 10 to 21 days
Mature size: 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to keep the roots healthy. Watch for shriveling leaves as a sign that the plant needs a drink. Ensure it gets plenty of sunlight to maintain its compact shape and vibrant colors.

Watering: Always check that the soil is fully dry before you add more water.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in the spring to encourage a bushier growth habit.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot only when the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 4 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years per rosette.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage hole.
The plant becomes top heavy and unstable.
Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but the sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep away from small children as the succulent leaves can be a choking hazard if swallowed.
Contact allergens: The milky sap may cause mild contact dermatitis for some people.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant reports of airborne allergens.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Rosettes of fleshy spoon shaped leaves
Sturdy woody branching stems
Bright green to deep purple foliage
Small yellow star shaped flowers

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, purple, burgundy, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

Mealybugs — Small white cottony insects that feed on plant juices.
Root rot — Occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost. Keep the soil mostly dry during the winter months to prevent rot.
In containers: It thrives in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 15 cm wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a healthy rosette with a few inches of stem.
2. Let the cut end callous for 2 to 3 days.
3. Plant the cutting in well draining succulent soil.
4. Keep the soil lightly moist until roots form.

Group plants with identical water needs to prevent rot in your succulent collection.

Grows well with

Sedum — They share similar water and light requirements.
Echeveria — These low growing succulents create a nice visual contrast.

Similar species

Aeonium haworthii — It has a similar growth habit but smaller rosettes.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Aeonium
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Canary Islands and Morocco.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It grows on rocky slopes where it survives by storing water in its fleshy leaves.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: container plant, rock garden, succulent display

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves curling?: Curling leaves often indicate the plant is thirsty and needs a drink.
Does it need full sun?: It prefers bright light but appreciates some afternoon shade in very hot climates.

Where the name comes from

The name Aeonium comes from the Greek word aionios, meaning everlasting, while arboreum refers to its tree-like growth habit.

Good to know

It is often called the tree aeonium because of its branching habit.
The dark purple varieties are highly sought after for their dramatic color contrast.
It originates from the Canary Islands and North Africa.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your tree aeonium growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.